backup server

[ands]

Hey everyone

I have given the task of developing a backup server for my employer. I was first considering purchasing a NAS device. After reviewing pricing for a NAS device and a their limited functionality, I have decided against it.

I am now considering setting up a Debian server, which will handle all backups.

Does anyone have any suggestions in developing a backup debian box.

I want the backup server to become a dumping ground of files. My file server which is a debian box with samba installed is my networks current PDC and has all user files on it.
I would like to have the debian box copy files to the backup machine every night.
Should my backup box be a NFS?
Could I have peoples input into the matter. What would the best system be?

[anomie]

While Debian can be configured to be a perfectly acceptable backup server, if you're not set on rolling your own you might like to check out FreeNAS:

FreeNAS is a free NAS (Network-Attached Storage) server, supporting: CIFS (samba), FTP, NFS, AFP, RSYNC, iSCSI protocols, S.M.A.R.T., local user authentication, Software RAID (0,1,5) with a Full WEB configuration interface.

Could save you time if it meets your needs.

[ands]

if I was to use 'FreeMAS', are there any packages with Debian that allow me to create incremental and full backups at scheduled times?

Also could I install 'FreeNAS' on this device? <http://netgear.com/Products/Storage/NetworkStorage/SC101.aspx>
As the freeNas website states that it can run on an external HD, or compactdlash disk

Also if I was to develop my own Debain backup server,what steps would I need to take, in terms of the learning curve. Could you point to some appropriate reading material, or an instruction set.

[HROAdmin26]

For a simple, automated backup solution with the bells and whistles of larger software packages (scheduler, Full/Inc rotation, single-instance-store, etc.), you might want to look at BackupPC.

I am *guessing* this is filesystem data and if so, using LVM snapshots for data consistency + something like BackupPC is the way to go. If storing your backup data on disk, you can write to any mounted filesystem - so the backend data store can be a Linux box, NAS, etc. If you're building a Linux box to run something like BackupPC, it makes sense to make it the storage location as well.

HTH.

[jledhead]

you can use either of the following 2 products, the first being probably the best

Zmanda: Leader In Open Source Backup and Recovery
Bacula, the Network Backup Tool for Linux, Unix, and Windows